He died as the result of a duel, fought according to code, following a failure of the principals to arrive at an amicable settlement. The trouble grew out of a criticism that Samuel had made concerning a member of his opponent's family. Samuel was called on to make a retraction, which he refused to do. The code of honor of over a century ago contained many principles and maxims that are now repudiated. In modern times it is the fashion to hold cheaply both life and honor. Young men of to-day do not believe in the motto - “Malo mori quam foedari,” even if they understand what it means.
A revolutionary soldier